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Topical Tuesdays: Are Exams Fair? – KS2 News Story and Reading and Writing Activity Sheet from The Week Junior

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All four nations of the UK have changed how A-level and GCSE grades are awarded this year, after huge protests by students. So is it time to change the way we assess pupils? Surely exams are more of a test of memory than knowledge and ability? Or are they actually the best way to measure ability?

This resources pack includes a story from The Week Junior newspaper about the exams fiasco, plus a sheet of activities to get children thinking, talking and writing about it from their own perspective.

This PDF resource includes this article, as well as accompanying activity ideas:

  • Given the fiasco over A level grades this year, is it time to change the way we assess pupils? Surely exams are more of a test of memory than knowledge and ability. Anyway, they only test your performance on a specific day and everyone can have an “off” day. Or are they actually the best way to measure ability? What do you think?
  • You will have to sit formal exams at some stage. Write a set of instructions for how to get the best marks you can
  • Write a few exam-style questions for a test that you would like to see taken by either your teacher or the Secretary of State for Education
  • Think of a job you would like to do when you are an adult, such as a mechanic or a shop manager or a doctor. Find out what official exams you would need to pass in order to qualify to do that job and whether there is anything else you are likely to need to have achieved

Find the entire series of Topical Tuesday resources to download here.

What is The Week Junior?

The Week Junior magazine looks at current affairs and helps children make sense of the world, provides context and clarity to complex issues, improves general knowledge and encourages discussion and debate.

To find out more about The Week Junior and to download its free resources, please go to schools.theweekjunior.co.uk.



  • News
  • Activities sheet
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